Freon is a brand of coolant made by DuPont that has been synonymous with air conditioner refrigerant. The coolant is common in older air conditioning systems, such as models made before 2010. Newer units no longer require Freon to be used in cooling, but rather other brands of refrigerants have started dominating the market.
Still, the signs that your air conditioner is low on Freon charge is standard throughout all air conditioner models and brands. Some brands may manufacture error codes to signify low refrigerant charge, but there are multiple ways to tell if your unit needs an aircon gas top up.
Signs of An AC Running on Low Freon
Sign #1: Refrigerant Leak
It is essential to understand how Freon works: as the refrigerant absorbs heat from the room air, it turns from a gas into a liquid. This cold liquid refrigerant is what cools the air coming from your AC unit as it travels around your air conditioning system.
The coolant does not dissipate nor evaporate, so air conditioners don't require top ups unless there is a leak in the refrigerant line. You may notice a chemical smell, odd odor, hissing sounds, or other symptoms that signify the coolant escaping from your AC unit.
Sign #2: AC System Blowing Hot Air
The most common sign that there's a malfunction in your air conditioner is when your unit blows warm air instead of cool air. Air conditioners that blow room temperature air are not sufficiently cooling the air flowing through the system, and is almost always due to low refrigerant levels in the unit.
Sign #3: Air Conditioner Leaking Water or Freezing
An air conditioner leaking water may indicate a refrigerant leak, which happens as the cooling liquid causes condensation to form around the evaporator coil. Though uncommon, it is not improbable for an AC unit to drip water due to a leak in the refrigerant line.
Alternatively, the refrigerant escaping from the refrigerant lines can cause condensation around the coils to freeze, causing the entire aircon unit to freeze up and malfunction. You may notice your AC system blows warm air instead, or drips water as the ice starts to melt.
Sign #4: Humming, Hissing, or Bubbling Noise
A loud, dry humming noise indicates that your air conditioning system is working harder to keep the air in your room cool. This is one of the symptoms of low refrigerant, while a hissing noise indicates a leak in the refrigerant lines. If the leak is a big one, then the aircon may also make a bubbling noise as the coolant escapes the coils.
Sign #5: High Electricity Bills
High electricity charges may also be caused by low refrigerant levels as your aircon unit works harder to cool your room, using up more energy to function without adequate refrigerant levels. High electricity bills may indicate a number of issues with your air conditioner, and low refrigerant is one of them.
Troubleshooting Guide
Tip #1: Go for Regular Cleaning
Regular cleaning and maintenance is what keeps your aircon parts working well. Our affordable aircon services will keep your cooling system up and running longer, and you won't have to worry about dirt clumping around coils, or dust damaging your refrigerant line.
Schedule a regular cleaning routine with us every 4-6 weeks, and notice the difference with a clean, working air conditioner that won't present you with a plethora of problems! Our HVAC professionals will make sure each nook and cranny of your unit is squeaky clean.
Tip #2: Have Your Air Conditioner Maintained
Before your refrigerant lines even start leaking Freon, our technicians can already detect weak points that we can strengthen to prevent the costly repairs of a coolant leak later on. Keeping your aircon unit well-maintained has never been easier as we will do the heavy work for you!
Tip #3: Do Not DIY Repairs
Freon is a highly hazardous substance. It is not something a regular homeowner should be handling without proper equipment, protective gear, and expertise. Our Luce technicians are well-versed in the dangers and proper handling of Freon, so trust in us to do the repairs for you. We'll find that leak, and fix it too!
Tip #4: Use Your Aircon Unit Properly
Refrigerant leaks happen when the coils and lines are damaged from regular wear and tear. Prevent the frequency of these Freon leaks by using your aircon properly. Avoid running the unit 24/7, as even central air conditioner units need a cool down from time to time. Set the temperature at a comfortable yet optimal level, and contact us for any issues.
Maintain Your Cool
Freon, refrigerant, Puron, or other coolants are essential parts of any cooling system - arguably the most important player in your unit as it is responsible for keeping the warmth out, and the cool in. When Freon levels are low, it means you have a problem in your AC system that needs to be immediately addressed.
Check out our article on signs your aircon is leaking freon!
